Hypolipidemic and hepatoprotective effects of flax and pumpkin seed mixture rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in hypercholesterolemic rats.
Flax and pumpkin seeds are a rich source of unsaturated fatty acids, antioxidants and fibers, known to have anti-atherogenic and hepatoprotective activities. These effects were evaluated in Wistar rats fed with 1% cholesterol diet. The study was performed on 30 male rats divided into three groups: a control group (CD), CD-chol group fed diet with 1% cholesterol and MS-chol group fed diet enriched with flax and pumpkin seed mixture. In CD-chol group, total cholesterol TC, triacylglycerol TG in plasma and liver, plasma LDL-C, atherogenic index AI and LDL/HDL ratio significantly increased. In MS-chol group lipid parameters decreased significantly, plasma and liver fatty acid composition showed an increase of PUFAs (ALA and LA), and MUFAs (oleic and eicosaenoic acid) and a decrease of SFA (palmitic and stearic acid). In plasma and liver of MS-chol group, malondialdehyde levels decreased and the efficiency of antioxidant defense system was improved compared to CD-chol group. Liver histological sections showed lipid storage in hepatocytes of CD-chol group and an improvement was noted in MS-chol group. Our results suggested that flax and pumpkin seed mixture had anti-atherogenic and hepatoprotective effects which were probably mediated by unsaturated fatty acids present in seed mixture.
Makni
M
M
Animal Physiology Laboratory, Sciences Faculty, UR 08-73, BP 1171, Tunisia.
Fetoui
H
H
Gargouri
N K
NK
Garoui
El M
el M
Jaber
H
H
Makni
J
J
Boudawara
T
T
Zeghal
N
N
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000517:prevention & control*; D028464:Cucurbita / Q000737:chemistry*; D004032:Diet; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6 / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019597:Flax / Q000737:chemistry*; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / Q000378:metabolism
D000975:Antioxidants; D005227:Fatty Acids; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D008055:Lipids; D020011:Protective Agents; D011506:Proteins; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances